vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Widening" is a form of "widen", a transitive verb which is often translated as "ensanchar". "Expansion" is a noun which is often translated as "la expansión". Learn more about the difference between "expansion" and "widening" below.
expansion(
ehk
-
spahn
-
shihn
)A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
a. la expansión (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Breathe deeply and focus on the expansion of your diaphragm.Respira hondo y concéntrate en la expansión de tu diafragma.
b. la dilatación (F) (physics)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The expansion of the gas produces a pressure chamber inside the tank.La expansión del gas produce una cámara de presión dentro del tanque.
2. (increase)
a. la ampliación (F) (production, market)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
This quarter saw an enormous expansion in the production of our luxury goods.Este trimestre se registró una ampliación enorme en la producción de nuestros bienes suntuarios.
b. la expansión (F) (company)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Specialization, rather than expansion, is the key to improving our company.La especialización, antes que la expansión, es la clave para mejorar nuestra empresa.
3. (technical) (mathematics)
A word or phrase that is only used by experts, professionals, or academics in a particular field (e.g., exposition).
a. el desarrollo (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
The division of two polynomials requires the expansion of the two terms.La división de los dos polinomios requiere el desarrollo de los dos términos.
widen(
way
-
den
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. ensanchar
There will be hold-ups for some months while they're widening the freeway.Habrá retenciones durante unos meses mientras ensanchan la autopista.
2. (to broaden)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. ensancharse
It's easier to cross where the river widens and the land is flatter.Es más fácil cruzar donde se ensancha el río y el terreno es más llano.
4. (to broaden)
a. aumentar
After this latest disagreement, the gap between the liberal and conservative wing of the party has widened.Tras este último desacuerdo, aumentó la brecha entre el ala liberal y el ala conservadora del partido.
5. (to open)
a. ponerse como platos (eyes)
Olga's eyes widened when the rock star walked into the room.Al entrar la estrella de rock en la sala, los ojos de Olga se pusieron como platos.
